Three Asian countries shaken by earthquake

An unprecedented earthquake yesterday shook the world's highest Himalayan range, causing damage in three countries including India, Nepal and Bhutan, killing at least 36 people and injuring more than 60.

AFP quoted the US Geological Survey as saying that an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale shook the Indian state of Sikkim - bordering Nepal, Bhutan and China's Tibet autonomous region - at around 6:10 p.m. local time (7:40 p.m. on September 18, Vietnam time).

People in Siliguri city, Sikkim state, India run into the street after an earthquake on September 18. Photo: AFP.

The earthquake's epicenter was more than 60 kilometers northwest of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim state. Gangtok city was plunged into darkness due to a power outage.

“The electricity was cut. People ran out into the streets. We rushed out of our houses. Some even jumped out of the windows. Cracks appeared in many buildings,” CK Dahal, a resident of Gangtok city, told CNN-IBN.

Karma Gyatso, a senior official in Sikkim state, said at least 15 people were killed and 60 injured in landslides and collapsed houses in the state. “We have received reports of dozens of houses collapsing and roads leading to several cities being blocked by landslides,” he said.

The quake was also felt in three other Indian cities, Guwahati, Kolkata and New Delhi. The distance between New Delhi and Gangtok is about 1,000 km. At least nine people died outside Sikkim state in stampedes and collapsed buildings. About 1,000 inmates were evacuated from a prison in West Bengal state after the facility was destroyed by the earthquake.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority. Ajit Seth, cabinet secretary, said military aircraft had arrived in Sikkim state with rescue workers and supplies.

In Nepal's capital Kathmandu, traffic was briefly halted, and hotel and restaurant guests were evacuated. Hundreds of tourists and residents waited in parking lots and on the streets for news. Police said five people were killed in the earthquake in Nepal.

Buildings in Bhutan's capital Thimphu also shook, but officials have not released information about casualties or material damage.

China's Xinhua news agency said seven people were killed in the earthquake in the southern Tibet Autonomous Region, near the border with the Indian state of Sikkim.

Two aftershocks followed the quake, one measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale. The death toll could rise as central authorities make contact with authorities in remote areas.

(According to VnExpress)